2 Credit Risk Management Executive Summary Section 5000 Executive Summary Sound credit management is a prerequisite for a financial institution s stability and continuing profitability, while deteriorating credit quality is the most frequent cause of poor financial performance and condition. The prudent management of credit risk can minimize operational risk while securing reasonable returns. Ensuring lending staff comply with the credit union's lending licence and by-laws is the first step in managing risk. The second step is to ensure board approved policies exist to limit or manage other areas of credit risk, such as syndicated and brokered loans, and the concentration of lending to individuals and their connected parties (companies, partnerships or relatives). The board and management should also set goals or targets for their loan portfolio mix, as part of their annual planning process. The loan portfolio should be monitored on an ongoing basis, to determine if performance meets the board's expectations, and the level of risk remains within acceptable limits. Standardized lending procedures should be adopted to reduce risk of transactional error, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and board policy. Approval and disbursements, documentation, lending staff and loan security are just some of the procedures recommended in this chapter. A credit union can meet standards of sound business and financial practices by ensuring it has developed and implemented credit policies, risk and performance measurement techniques, and risk management procedures comparable to those contained in this chapter. Policies, measurement techniques and procedures should be appropriate for the size Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-2

3 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 Legislative Summary Management and lending staff should be apprised of the comprehensive lending legislation set out in the Act and Regulation 76/95, as well as relevant legislation in other Acts. Members of the board should also be familiar with the major aspects of lending legislation. Referring to or repeating lending legislation in board policy and operational procedures is an effective means to ensure compliance. The following is a summary of important lending legislation which defines lending powers, limits and restrictions, both in the Act and Regulations, as well as in other relevant statutes and bodies of law. Lending Powers A credit union's lending powers are formally defined by its lending licence, which it obtains either by designation under the Act, or through an application to FSCO. Credit union by-laws also impact lending powers. A by-law is required to request a change to the credit union's lending licence, and determines membership eligibility for the credit union, thereby impacting who can borrow from the organization. The Act additionally prescribes lending powers, restrictions and limits. Refer to Schedule 5.1 for a summary of important lending legislation. For actual text, refer to the appropriate sections of the Act and Regulation 76/95. Violations of the Act will cause manager/director liability, and may lead to penalties or economic damages. Lending Licences Under section 196(5) of the Act, a grandfathering provision effective March 1, 1995 established for each credit union a deemed lending licence comparable to the lending powers prescribed by the credit union's then existing by-laws. The legislation proclaimed in 1995 introduces different classes of loans, each associated with a different class of lending licence, which are as follows: agricultural, commercial, institutional, personal, residential mortgage and bridge loan, syndication and unincorporated association lending. The loan classes are defined in sections 51 to 57 of Regulation 76/95. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-3

4 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 Schedule 5.1 RELEVANT LENDING RELATED LEGISLATION The Act Regulation 76/95 Adherence to lending policies and procedures Establishment of written lending policies and procedures Loans to be made in accordance with lending license and the Act Loans to members only 194(1) Loans to unincorporated associations 194(2) 194(3) Lending limits and variations 195 Lending licences 196 Loan classes 51 Definition of loan classes Classes of lending licences 58 Syndicated loans 60 Individual and aggregate lending limits and lending matrices Aggregate limits on commercial and agricultural loans General restrictions on security for loans Advertising regarding credit products and services 61, , In order to make a loan of a particular class, the credit union must have the appropriate lending licence. A credit union may only make an agricultural loan if it has an agricultural lending licence. It may only make a commercial loan if it has a commercial lending licence. A credit union must apply to the Superintendent of Financial Services (the Superintendent) for a new lending licence if it wishes to expand into a new class of loans, or to expand lending limits for a particular class. When considering expanding the line of loan products, it is recommended that an adequate study of required liquidity, equity and qualified, experienced staff resources be made prior to such a request. Licence Non-Compliance The Superintendent may revoke or amend a lending licence at any time, should the credit union fail to comply with its licence or with a provision of the Act or Regulation 76/95. An amendment might include the addition of conditions or restrictions, or the reduction of a lending limit on a particular class of loans. Revoking a lending licence is considered a last resort by Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-4

5 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 the Superintendent, and would most likely only follow should other remedial measures (conditions or restrictions, or a reduction in lending limits) prove ineffective. Lending Limits and Lending Limit Matrices Lending licences can carry lending limits that are either set at fixed amounts, or determined under growth matrices set out in sections 61 and 62 of Regulation 76/95. Where a lending licence has a limit fixed in the licence, the credit union will have to apply to the Superintendent any time it wants to increase the limit due to increased loan demand or increased asset size and lending expertise. However, where the lending licence utilizes lending limit matrices, lending limits will automatically adjust with growth in the credit union (growth being measured by total regulatory capital and deposits as per annual audited financial statements). There are two separate lending limit matrices. The first matrix, authorized under section 61 of Regulation 76/95, details three sets of graduated limits on the amount of personal, residential mortgage and bridge loans, that can be made to an individual. (Loan limit matrices do not exist for commercial or agricultural lending) The second matrix, prescribed by section 62, provides graduated limits on the amount of total loans (any number of loans of any type) that a credit union can make to a particular person and his/her connected persons. Not every credit union will automatically qualify for the use of lending limit matrices. A credit union must specifically request the use of a lending limit matrix through a lending licence amendment, and must provide the Superintendent with a rationale for the use of the graduated lending limit matrix. Illegal Credit Transactions Any loans in excess of a credit union's lending limits, as defined by the organization's lending licence and by-laws, are illegal. Additionally, a credit union may only offer those loan classes authorized in its lending licence (e.g. personal loans, mortgages, commercial, agricultural, etc.) to authorized members, otherwise it is lending illegally. Authorizing illegal loans is a contravention of the Act and is considered an offence under section 322 of the Act. Any director, officer or agent of a credit union who commits such an offence, authorized, or acquiesced to the offence, is liable. (Penalties prescribed in the Act include a maximum fine of $100,000 or maximum imprisonment for two years). Therefore, it is recommended that directors, officers and credit committee members object to the existence of illegal loans known to them, and advise the Superintendent in writing of any loans which violate the Act, the lending licence, or the by-laws. In order to assist the credit committee and staff in their responsibilities to grant proper loans, board policy should define what constitutes a legal and an acceptable loan. Additionally, senior management, the credit committee and the board should monitor for illegal loans and large loans that approach regulatory limits. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-5

6 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 Syndicated Loans Should a credit union find that periodically it must decline borrowers for loans exceeding its legal lending limits, the credit union can seek to syndicate loans with its league or another financial institution. Before a credit union can syndicate a loan on behalf of one of its members, it must possess a syndication lending licence. If it does not have one, it must apply for one from the Superintendent. A credit union does not require a syndication lending licence to participate in a syndicated loan where it is not acting as the syndicating credit union (i.e. the credit union is not organizing the deal on behalf of one of its members, but is participating in a syndicated loan organized by another credit union). Further restrictions and conditions of loan syndication can be found in section 60 of Regulation 76/95. The credit union, for example, can underwrite a portion of a syndicated loan only if it is within an applicable loan category and the limits of its own lending licence. Other Lending Statutes and Common Law Obligations In addition to ensuring compliance with the Act, Regulation 76/95 and its own lending licence and by-laws, the credit union must comply with other lending statutes, and should be aware of its lending liability under contract and tort law. Schedule 5.2 summarizes the major common law obligations of a lender. Schedule 5.3 highlights the content of specific statutes to which Ontario lenders should adhere. More detailed information on any of the statutes summarized below should be obtained, as required, from legal counsel. It is recommended that loan personnel be broadly informed of all relevant legislation affecting their loan portfolio. Schedule 5.2 SUMMARY OF LENDER LIABILITY Major Obligations of a Lender under Contract and Tort Law Duty to perform in accordance with the terms of a loan contract. Duty to honour oral representations, especially to the extent they alter the terms of written agreements. Implied duty to exercise reasonable care and skill in carrying out banking business. Implied duty of confidentiality on a member's transactions. Duty to avoid misrepresenting an existing state of facts to a member. Duty to avoid slanderous or libelous treatment of a member. Duty to avoid offering financial investment advice which can cause economic damage to a borrower. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-6

7 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 Act Absconding Debtors Act Assignments and Preferences Act Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) Bulk Sales Act Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act Construction Lien Act Creditors' Relief Act Criminal Code (Canada) Debt Collectors Act Environmental Protection Act Execution Act Family Law Act Farm Debt Mediation Act (Canada) Farm Improvement Loans Act (Canada) Fraudulent Conveyances Act Schedule 5.3 KEY LENDING LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO Content Provides remedies against debtors who attempt to avoid creditors. Prevents debtors giving unjust preference to one creditor over another. Permits debtors to legally nullify creditor liabilities through realization and distribution of their assets. Protects unsecured creditors in the event of a sale of all or most of business's assets. Facilitates compromises and arrangements between financially distressed companies and their creditors. Provides supplier of services and materials with a lien against property under construction. Gives all creditors right to share in proceeds of a debtor's assets, where debtor has been successfully sued by one creditor. Limits the amount of interest or fees chargeable on loans. Governs and restricts methods of debt collection. Prohibits any person from discharging contaminants into the natural environment in excess of prescribed levels. The act empowers the Government to issue administrative clean-up orders on persons with management or legal control of a contaminated property, which could include, in certain circumstances, credit unions in their capacity as mortgagees. Any such order is binding upon the successor or assignee of the property. Establishes a procedure for enforcing court judgments against a debtor's property. Governs the rights to property between spouses that arise upon marriage, separation and divorce. Provides protection to a farmer facing insolvency, including possible delays in the realization of security. Facilitates and encourages the provision of intermediate and short term credit to farmers for the improvement and development of farms. Prohibits debtors from conveying property to others with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-7

8 Credit Risk Management Legislative Summary Section 5100 Schedule 5.3 (continued) KEY LENDING LEGISLATION IN ONTARIO Act Interest Act (Canada) Content Prescribes the manner in which interest costs are disclosed by a lender to a borrower. In certain circumstances, it also limits the amount of interest which can be charged on loans. Land Titles Act and Registry Act Landlord and Tenant Act Limitations Act Mortgages Act Personal Property Security Act Wages Act Provide for a system of registration of interests in real property. The registration systems provide notice to third parties of the interest being registered. Deals with rights between tenants and landlords. Under this Act, a landlord is entitled to seize property of a tenant, including property pledged to a financial institution as security whenever rent is in arrears. Denies creditors a right of action for damages for breach of contract after a lapse of a specified time (generally 6 years). Provides for two remedies for the mortgagee upon default by the mortgagor: power of sale and foreclosure. Governs the taking of security against personal property in Ontario. The Act also establishes a registry whereby priorities in rights to security are established and notice to third parties of security interests in a debtors assets is given. Governs the assignment of wages to settle debts, fixing the maximum assignment to 20 per cent of wages, without a court order. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-8

9 Credit Risk Management Policy Section 5200 Policy It is recommended that the credit union adopt a credit policy that addresses: authorized credit instruments; limits or prohibitions on credit exposures including concentration; connected, restricted party and staff loans; lender approval limits; major lending criteria; securing loans; loan process; conditions for rewritten and restructured loans; frequency, form and content of board reporting. These recommended objectives of credit policy are discussed in greater depth in Sections 5201 to Adopting a credit policy will assist the credit union to manage risk and to comply with the Standards in DICO By-law No. 5. The board's credit policy must be sufficiently flexible to allow for managerial scope and the application of professional lending judgment without being so general that effectiveness is lost. The specifics of managerial scope in lending as much as possible should be documented in operational procedures. For recommended operational procedures, refer to Section Reference Materials Examples of credit policy are available in the DICO publication Sample Policies, and are available to the industry for customization as appropriate. As well, the information provided in Sections 5201 to 5211 will also assist in establishing policies of credit management. Regulatory Policy Requirements Section 191(2) of the Act also requires credit unions to establish credit policies and procedures. FSCO has published Guidelines for Prudent Investment and Lending Policies and Procedures, which sets out guidelines for establishing lending policies and procedures. When establishing credit policies and procedures, management and the board should ensure they meet FSCO requirements as well as By-law No. 5 requirements. In addition to By-law No. 5 criteria and FSCO policy, credit unions may elect to establish other credit policies as they see fit. Regulatory Compliance Credit policies must not conflict with requirements prescribed by the Act, Regulation 76/95 and any interpretative bulletins or guidelines issued by FSCO. It is optimal for key regulatory requirements to be repeated in lending policies for greater lender clarity and ease of reference. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-9

10 Credit Risk Management Philosophy Section 5201 Credit Management Philosophy Adopting a credit management philosophy is an important first step in drafting credit policy. The philosophy should set out the broad goals and objectives of a credit union s lending activities, as established by the board of directors. Developing a credit granting philosophy provides the board with an opportunity to express their vision for the credit union's lending program. This vision should govern all lending policy constraints and help address new situations where policy does not yet exist. Credit management philosophies will vary amongst credit unions, reflecting the differences between members needs, and the credit union's goals and objectives. Some aspects of credit philosophy, however, should be the same for every credit union, such as first and foremost, protecting the safety of members' deposits. Other possible considerations or principals that can form part of the credit management philosophy include the following: Lending is the credit union's core business. All loans must be considered in the context of providing creditworthy members with borrowing opportunities, at a reasonable rate of return for the credit union, while safeguarding the overall assets of the credit union. The credit union may return a portion of the income derived from lending to eligible borrowing members in the form of a loan interest rebate. The loan portfolio will be, as much as possible, diversified with the objective of spreading risk. Borrowers will be provided with a full explanation of the terms and conditions of loans before loan agreements are signed. Loan agreements and security documents will contain clear statements of terms and conditions, including fees and penalties, to the degree that is legally possible. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-10

11 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 Authorized Credit Instruments An important lending parameter that must be established by board policy is a list of authorized credit instruments. This section summarizes some of the more common credit instruments. Credit policy should state for each credit instrument the following: the maximum loan amortization period, credit offering circumstances (i.e. eligible loan purpose) and where applicable, special types of authorized products (e.g. various types of mortgages). Schedule 5.4 SAMPLE CREDIT PRODUCTS Loan Class Credit Instruments Credit Purposes Agricultural Loans Mortgage Term Loan Line of Credit Farm home, crop production, equipment, land, working capital Bridge Loans Bridge Loan Provide transitional financing for new home purchase. Commercial Loans Mortgage Term Loan Line of Credit Leases Letter of Credit Institutional Loans Term Loan Line of Credit Personal Loans Demand Loan Term Loan Line of Credit (secured and unsecured) Automobile Lease Overdraft Protection Operating requirements, rental income properties, business premises, equipment purchases, capital A loan made to a government body or agency, a municipal body or agency, or a school board. Vehicle purchase, investments, RRSP purchase, education, vacation, gifts, home improvements, home construction, consolidation of loans Residential Mortgage Loans First Mortgage High Ratio Mortgage Second Mortgage Bridge Loans Reverse Mortgage Construction Mortgage Principal residence, vacation home, nonprofit use properties Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-11

12 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 Over time, as a credit union gains further experience and expertise in new lending areas, it may be able to expand the lending instruments offered within its lending classes. Product diversification is an important strategy which should be considered by management and the board. Refer to Schedule 5.4 for a sample list of credit products by loan class. Selection of a diversified mix should be based on the availability of demand and the internal resources required to offer these loan products. Personal Credit Instruments Schedule 5.5 outlines a number of credit instruments that are available for personal lending. These are summarized along with a list of common forms of security that are taken by credit unions for personal credit, not all of which are equally effective. Schedule 5.5 PERSONAL CREDIT INSTRUMENTS AND SECURITY Instruments Term Loan Demand Loan Personal Line of Credit Credit Card Financial Leases* Conditional Sales Agreements Security Personal Property Lien Collateral Mortgage Assignment of Securities Pledge of shares and deposits Assignment of moneys receivable** Personal Guarantee** Wage Assignment** Lodgment of Title** * For financial leases, security is not required as the credit union obtains ownership of the personal property upon execution of the agreement. ** A personal guarantee, a wage assignment or assignment of moneys receivable are viewed as supplemental forms of security which should be attributed a no dollar security value. A lodgment of title is generally viewed as a sub-optimal form of security. Refer to the following paragraphs for additional information. Credit Management - Authorized Credit Instruments Term and demand loans have historically been the most common forms of credit offered to members; these loans are for a fixed amount and are normally secured by major assets that are being financed. Recent consumer trends, however, have increased demand for personal lines of credit. These loans provide the borrower with a revolving sum of money up to a maximum limit, that can be used repeatedly, and is frequently unsecured. Whenever a personal line of credit is offered to a member, its availability should not be for an unlimited period of time, but rather, it should be subject to scheduled review and renewal, and where appropriate, collateralized. Lines of credit should be periodically monitored for the usage of these credit facilities and confirmation of upward and downward fluctuations. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-12

13 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 A personal line of credit should be offered to all credit worthy members who might otherwise experience overdrafts in their chequing accounts. Under section 181 of the Act, overdrafts are prohibited, unless provided for, to a specified amount, in an overdraft protection agreement. For those credit unions that issue their own credit cards and hold the associated receivables, credit policies of the credit union should also require a line of credit to be approved for all members requesting credit cards. Types of Residential Mortgage Instruments There are several types of residential mortgages that may be offered by credit unions. Three of the more common types include: conventional first mortgages; high ratio, insured mortgages; conventional, second mortgages. These credit facilities can be used for the purchase or construction of a home. (Construction mortgages are discussed later in this chapter). Conventional First Mortgage The conventional first mortgage is the instrument most commonly used to finance a home purchase. It entitles the lender to have first claim of the property in the event of a borrower default. In accordance with section 57 of Regulation 76/95, the principal amount for this kind of mortgage must not exceed 75 per cent of the value of the property when the loan is made. The value of the property should be determined by the property's appraised value or purchase price, whichever is the lesser amount. High Ratio Mortgage A high ratio mortgage is one in which the loan to property value ratio exceeds 75 per cent. These loans must be insured by a government agency (e.g. the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation created under the National Housing Act) or some private insurance company approved by the Superintendent. High ratio mortgage insurance protects the credit union against default and is required for compliance with section 57 of Regulation 76/95, although it is the borrower who pays the insurance premiums. It is technically possible to finance a property up to 95 per cent of its value if mortgage insurance is obtained. Second Mortgage Another type of residential mortgage is the second mortgage. A second mortgage is one in which the lender, in case of default, is behind the first mortgage in claim against the security (property). As this type of mortgage is higher risk, it should command a higher rate of return. Section 57 of Regulation 76/95 permits credit unions to offer second mortgages, as long as the total of the first and second mortgages on a property does not exceed 75 per cent of the property value, or unless mortgage insurance is obtained. When underwriting second mortgages, credit unions should consider the: maturity date of the existing first mortgage; size and interest rate of the first mortgage; ability of the proposed borrower to service both mortgage payments; potential depreciation or appreciation of the secured property. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-13

14 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 Bridge Loans All credit unions which have a mortgage lending licence can offer bridge loans. Bridge loans provide interim financing to a member for a property purchase with a closing date prior to that of an existing property being sold by the same member. Terms of up to 90 days are generally applicable. Repayment of the principal is not required until the closing date of the sale of the member's property. The following steps should be required by policy before advancing bridge loans: Executed unconditional agreement of purchase/sale for both the property being purchased and the property being sold. Irrevocable, acknowledged, letter of direction, from a lawyer stating that the funds from the sale of the property will be remitted to the credit union to extinguish the bridge loan. Written statements of mortgages outstanding from all mortgagees (other than the credit union) to determine the net equity in the property being sold after all deductions (i.e. real estate commissions, legal fees, etc.). This net equity must be equal to or greater than the amount of the bridge loan. Bridge loans may not exceed the limits prescribed in the by-laws/lending licence and compliance with regular lending policy. Sub-search for other registered liens, outstanding taxes, work orders, clouds on title, etc. Reverse Mortgage Line of Credit The reverse mortgage line of credit is a unique type of credit facility which requires adherence to special lending criteria. Like a conventional mortgage, the reverse mortgage involves the conveyance of an interest in land (real property) as security for debt, in particular a line of credit permitting demand drawings. As a result, a sound knowledge of mortgages is required before offering this product. A reverse mortgage differs principally from a conventional mortgage, in that there are no loan payments until maturity, at which time the original principal advanced plus all compounded interest must be repaid. The reverse mortgage product is beneficial for two types of borrowers: Seniors who need additional cash to finance their needs but are unable to borrow due to income limitations. Individuals who are temporarily unemployed due to the pursuit of a higher level of education or persons taking a leave of absence from work for family, health or travel reasons. The product generally offers two amortization options: Fixed Term (e.g. three years): for individuals who will re-enter the work force and resume normal mortgage payments or who plan to eventually sell their home and move to other accommodations. Life Tenure (approximated): for elderly individuals who wish to have the loan balance repaid from the eventual proceeds of their estate. For a lender, reverse mortgages pose a number of risks including: term or credit risk, collateral risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. The following caveats are recommended to mitigate against these risks: The conditions of the reverse mortgage should be discussed in detail with the member so that he/she comprehends and fully accepts the credit costs and conditions of the program Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-14

15 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 (e.g. settlement of the debt is expected when the homeowner dies or moves and sells the home). Members should be required to discuss their decision with their lawyer (members must receive independent legal advice) and a financial planner as appropriate. Powers of attorney and estate issues should be discussed. The credit history of the borrower should be confirmed as being satisfactory, and the original level of equity in the home should be significant. A conservative lending policy would set a loan to value ratio of 50 per cent at maturity; a moderate scenario might show the loan to value ratio at per cent; under no circumstances should the loan to value ratio be expected to exceed 75 per cent at maturity. The arrangement should require a renewal every five years with a maximum program limit of 15 years. For life tenure reverse mortgages, actuarial tables must be consulted to estimate life expectancy since age is the critical determinant in calculating the credit limit. It is strongly recommended that a time cushion (e.g. an extra two to four years) be applied in order to reduce term uncertainty. Collateral risk should be minimized by selecting homes in neighbourhoods with proven capital appreciation rates. Annual reviews should be conducted to investigate the member's financial needs, to check collateral and recalculate the credit limit. A qualified property appraisal should be obtained at least every five years. Liquidity risk should be managed by establishing annual withdrawal limits, taking into account the loan term and the credit limit. Additionally, a portfolio limit for aggregate reverse mortgages should be approved, closely monitored and reported to the board annually. Interest rate risk should be managed by obtaining appropriate term funding. For life tenure reverse mortgages, the credit union should stipulate that renewals every five years are subject to interest re-pricing. In summary, the reverse mortgage is an innovative instrument that may be very useful for certain members who are experiencing a shortage of cash and cannot borrow using conventional debt. The credit union, where applicable, can therefore provide a significant new service and in doing so be rewarded; reverse mortgages normally generate an extra 50 to 200 basis points over the conventional mortgage rate to cover associated risks. Credit unions should be aware that specialized personnel training is required to offer this product, and ensure that the member obtains independent legal advice. Automobile Leases Due to the increasing cost of new automobiles, automobile leasing has become an increasingly popular method of vehicle financing. For credit unions that have sufficient financial and other resources to offer leasing services to their members the following benefits can be pursued: improved servicing of member needs, increased loan penetration, increased member retention rate, and increased revenues. Benefits The benefits to members of automobile leasing include the following: up-front security payment is usually lower than a down payment on a conventional car purchase; monthly payments are smaller than on a conventional car loan and maintenance costs are usually lower (because most customers dispose of their vehicle long before any major repairs are needed). Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-15

16 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 Disadvantages Automobile leases, however, also have disadvantages. From the member's perspective, leasing usually carries higher financing rates and charges than a conventional car loan, and it may not be economical for a consumer to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease. From the credit union's perspective, the two major disadvantages include the liability insurance required for leased vehicles and the expertise and financial risk associated with the disposal of previously leased cars. A credit union may meet market demand for leasing services either directly or through a subsidiary. For credit unions investigating automobile leasing, a number of factors must be considered, some of which are as follows: Under a car leasing arrangement, the credit union does not need to take chattel security as it owns the lease vehicle. In order to sell leased automobiles other than to the lessor, the credit union will need to obtain an automobile broker's licence. In order to protect itself from accident liability which is attached to the ownership of a vehicle, special insurance must be obtained, and appropriate documentation created for lessees to also acknowledge liability. Given the above factors which expand legal liability for credit unions, it is recommended that leasing, where possible, be arranged through a limited liability subsidiary, or alternative car loans should be considered (discussed later in this chapter). Before entering into the provision of lease products, a credit union which does not already have the necessary experience in leasing can contact a league, other credit unions with leasing experience, the Credit Union Central of Canada or the Caisse Centrale Desjardins. Commercial Credit Instruments Three fundamental instruments can be extended for commercial credits: commercial mortgages; commercial term loans; operating lines of credit. A general overview of the three types of commercial credit is described below. Commercial Mortgages Commercial mortgages are defined as mortgage loans for business use, properties or multiresidential buildings. Commercial mortgages normally finance apartment complexes, retail and office buildings, or industrial properties providing warehousing and manufacturing facilities. (Under Regulation 76/95, mortgage rental properties in excess of four units, regardless of whether a building is owner occupied, constitute commercial loans. These can only be underwritten where a commercial lending licence permits.) Construction Mortgages Commercial construction mortgages and/or interim financing offered to construction companies and real estate developers for the building of new properties is a highly specialized type of lending which is not addressed in this reference manual. Cost overruns, structural defects, labour shortages, property liens under the Construction Lien Act and volatile real estate markets are risks which can Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-16

17 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 lead to large potential losses for businesses in this industry. In order to engage in this type of lending, it is recommended that the credit union have significant real estate expertise and lend only on a strictly controlled basis to credit worthy contractors. Highly developed internal policies and specialized criteria for credit granting to real estate and construction companies are recommended. Commercial Term Loan A commercial term loan is a credit facility generally obtained to finance the fixed assets of a business (e.g. equipment, vehicles). Advances may be drawn down and are to be repaid over a fixed term according to a formula or schedule agreed upon by the credit union and the borrower. The amortization period of a commercial loan offered by a credit union must not exceed the economic life of the asset. Balloon payments (if any) at the end of the term loan should be restricted in size by lending policy and not exceed the value of the asset at the time of the balloon payment. Operating Line of Credit A commercial operating loan (also referred to as a line of credit) is a loan which supplements the day-to-day cash requirements of a business. Caution should be exercised when approving operating loans as they may represent higher credit risk than commercial mortgages or business term loans due to the nature of the security taken (e.g. inventory and receivables) and the lack of a definite draw down and repayment schedule. Additionally, operating loans utilize more resources of the credit union as extra manpower is required to monitor advances and security on a daily basis, and extra liquidity is needed by the credit union to accommodate potentially large fluctuations in loan demand. Letters of Credit and Letters of Guarantee A letter of credit is a promise of payment made by a financial institution on behalf of a member and for the benefit of a third party. Letters of credit are payable by the financial institution when stipulated conditions are met. A letter of guarantee is a similar undertaking by the credit union on behalf of a member, to a third party, which ensures compensation for non-performance of a contractual obligation (e.g. bid bond or performance guarantee). The purpose of a letter of credit or letter of guarantee is to substantiate a member's commitment to a contract with a third party. The Act and Regulation 76/95 contain restrictions on letters of credit and letters of guarantee. Under subsection 178(1) of the Act, letters of credit and letters of guarantee must be (i) for a fixed sum of money and (ii) must require that the recipient has an unqualified obligation to reimburse the credit union for the full amount of the letter of credit or letter of guarantee. Under section 45 of Regulation 76/95, a letter of credit or letter of guarantee must have a fixed term and the credit union must have security at least equal to the amount of the obligation guaranteed. When advanced for business purposes and for an amount greater than $25,000, a letter of credit or letter of guarantee constitutes a business loan for the purposes of the Act. As a result, the credit union must have a commercial lending licence (or deemed commercial lending licence under subsection 196(5) of the Act) before offering these instruments. Letters of credit which are required by individuals, for purposes of court proceedings, should be classified as personal credit, and would be covered under the personal loan lending licence (or deemed lending licence) and the personal loan lending limits set out in section 61 of Regulation 76/95. (Refer to Section 5101 for more on lending licences and loan limits). Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-17

18 Credit Risk Management Authorized Credit Instruments Section 5202 Limits Apart from the lending licence restrictions, subsection 178(4) of the Act and section 46 of Regulation 76/95 prescribe a cap on the aggregate value of letters of credit and letters of guarantee that can be made by a credit union and its subsidiaries. This limit is prescribed in Regulation 76/95 as 10 per cent of regulatory capital and deposits of the credit union. (However, a credit union may petition the Superintendent for exemption from this limit under certain circumstances.) Letters of credit and letters of guarantee provide financing to a member. As a consequence, these instruments require credit approval in the same manner as any other type of borrowing. Documentation A promissory note and a signed indemnification agreement (which may be combined in one document) must be obtained from the member, once the letter of credit or letter of guarantee has been duly approved. Standard forms for indemnification should be obtained from a league or a lawyer. The indemnification agreement should authorize the collection of a fee for this service, generally one per cent to three per cent per annum of the face value of the instrument. Letters of credit and letters of guarantee must be fully securitized in the same prudent manner as all other loans. Generally, these instruments note an expiry date. Where they are open (e.g. subject to the third party's cancellation) a condition of the credit facility must be that they must be renewed annually. Letters of credit should be recorded separately in the books of account and disclosed in the monthly loan report approved by the board, and reported in the notes to the annual financial statements. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-18

19 Credit Risk Management Loan Volumes, Portfolio Mix and Industry Classification Section 5203 Loan Volumes, Portfolio Mix and Industry Classification Credit policy must limit the overall volume and mix of credit risk to be included in the loan portfolio. Credit policies should specify prudent limits on concentration of risk as follows: for each loan class, specify aggregate loan limits (as a percentage of capital and deposits) and individual loan limits (e.g. maximum dollar amount for individuals and their connected parties) - it may be prudent for these to be lower than what is allotted in the lending licence; establish prudent limits (either as a percentage of total loans or of total assets) and/or prohibitions on higher risk loan categories, including syndication loans, brokered loans, and loan concentrations within certain industries (refer Industry Classification below), or riskier categories of loans within authorized lending classes such as personal loans for commercial purposes, social conscience loans, consolidation loans etc; establish limits on connected and restricted party loans (which may be lower than what is required by statute) as well as any policy restrictions or conditions for the approval of such loans. Although authorized lending classes are clearly set out in the credit union's lending licence, it is nevertheless a prudent practice to acknowledge these lending classes in lending policy for easy reference by board and staff. Policy should state that the credit union must comply with its lending licence, and should set out those areas where policy restricts lending below the licence limit. Industry Classification To faciliate measuring and monitoring loans conectrated within certain industries, is is recommended that all commercial loans are classified using the North American Industry Code Standards (NAICS). For simplicity, only the primary industry codes need to be used except for agricultural, contruction and real estate loans. Loans in these sectors require further segregation and should be classified by the use of appropraite industry sub codes. Additional NAICS codes are available for use where required internally and where further classification is appropriate. These can be obtained through the NAICS website at A listing of minimum industry codes is provided in Shedule below. Reference Manual Spring 2005 Page 5-19

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